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Papakōlea Summer Youth Program Wraps-Up

On Friday, July 29th, Kupua’e wrapped-up with a Hō‘ike presented by 23 keiki and four kumu at the Papakōlea Community Center. The keiki took the audience of over 100 community members through their four-week journey of lessons learned relating to their homestead, lo’i kalo, loko i’a, and more.

“I am proud of each keiki and our kumu, for their commitment to Kupua’e, and what we set-out to achieve,” stated Ms. Lilia Kapuniai, Executive Director of Papakōlea Community Development Corporation. “For most of the keiki, this was an introduction to Hawaiian language- and culture-based education, and they loved it.”

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I am thrilled that we were able to fulfill this vision of our community leaders, while engaging with third-fourth generation homesteaders of Papakōlea,” Kapuniai continued. Some interesting program statistics include:

Kupua‘e, the Papakōlea Summer Youth Program, was established in the summer of 2016 to serve keiki, ages 3-7, through Hawaiian language- and culture-based programming. Kupua’e started on Tuesday, July 5th, with maximum enrollment, and ended with the Hō‘ike on Friday, July 29th. Mahalo nui to our team of kumu and support, comprised of ‘Iolani Kamauoha Uli’i, Kahanu Walker, Kalehua Oliveira, Kaumuali’i Titcomb, and Kekaimalu Piena.

The program was made possible through support from First Hawaiian Bank, Friends of Hawaii Charities, Inc., the Hawaiian Way Fund, Hawaiian Community Assets, Kula No Na Po‘e Hawai‘i, Lincoln Elementary School, Malama ‘Āina Foundation, Peter Terry, Harold Johnston, and Polynesian Adventure Tours.